Thursday, January 17, 2013

Christmas Travels in the US of A

Holidays in America
12/22-29/2012 @ Des Moines, Iowa


Day 1

This year, I made it home to Iowa for Christmas. It was wonderful to see family and friends. I flew into Des Moines on Saturday, the 22nd, and was pleasantly greeted by a giant hug from my nephew. I also got to meet my brand new baby nephew, Shahil. Accompanying the children were my parents, sister, brother-in-law, and Chris. The whole group had some pizza, and we called it a day. I went home and hung out with the family.

ICN
( Incheon Airport )

ICN
( Incheon Airport )

ICN
( Incheon Airport )

Penley
( Penley's snack time )

Penley
( Penley )

Christmas Tree
( Ford family Christmas tree )


Day 2

On the second day, I had some family time in the morning, followed by some crazy good friend time. Chris, Brodie & Thomas had arranged the most thoughtful party imaginable. We went ice skating, played some music, drank some beers, whiskey & mimosas, jammed with rock band, and had an all-around good time.

Shahil, Penley & Mom
( Penley: holding Shahil )

Penley & Shahil
( He loves his baby brother )

Penley
( & 김 [seaweed] )

Wendy
( I had Mexican food with WENDY! )

Thomas
( Thomas )

Brodie
( Brodie: lacing up the ice skates )

Josh, Brodie & Thomas
( Josh, Brodie & Thomas )

Josh, myself & Brodie
( Josh, myself & Brodie )

Chris & Avalan
( Chris & Avalan )

Palzzzzz
( PALS )

April, Adam & Chris
( Adam, April & Chris )

Ting
( Ting )

Wendy
( Wendy )

Thomas
( Thomas )

Chris
( Chris )

Chelsea
( Chelsea )

Robin & Nikki
( Robin & Nikki )

Casey's Pizza
( Casey's pizza needs to be eaten. )

Chris
( Chelsea's Chris )

Ting
( It was very Christmasy )

Chelsea, Chris & Thomas
( Chelsea, Chris & Thomas )

Brodie & Nikki
( Brodie & Nikki )

Myself & Adam
( Mimosas & Rock Band )

Brandon
( Brandon )

Christ
( Chris )

Snacks
( Snacks )

Josh
( Josh )

Me
( Myself )

Thomas & Adam
( Adam )

Brandon, Chris & Thomas
( We played this game for hours. )

Myself & Chris
( hat switch! )

Brodie
( Brodie was sleepy. He had had quite the two days. )

Myself & Thomas
( Just like old times. )

Avalan
( Thank you, Avalan, for taking camera control! It was severely appreciated. )


Day 3

On the third day, I spend some time getting reacquainted with my hometown. After this, we had a little Christmas Eve celebration at home with the family. I didn't take any pictures this evening though. We just spent time together.

Dallas Center
( Dallas Center )

Dallas Center
( Dallas Center )

Dallas Center
( It snowed... )

Dallas Center
( Dallas Center )


Day 4

This was Christmas Day. We took the hour and a half drive down to my Grandma Maynes's farm. It was wonderful to see the family again. All of the little ones have gotten so darn big. It was fun the play with all of them and to get caught up with all the cousins, aunts & uncles. I've missed this type of Christmas celebration.

G-ma's Farm
( Iowa )

G-ma's Farm
( Chicken Barn )

G-ma's Farm
( Chicken Barn )

G-ma's Farm
( The Boat )

G-ma's Farm
( The Pond )

G-Ma's Farm
( Water Pump )

G-ma's Farm
( Grain Bin )

G-ma's farm
( Machinery )

G-ma's farm
( The Farm )

The Kids
( all the kids )

Shahil
( Shahil likes to sleep )

Stanleys
( The Stanley girls )

Penley
( Penley )

Penley
( Penley loves getting dressed up! )

Nick & McKenna
( Nick & McKenna )


Days 5 & 6

The last couple days of the trip were pretty chill. I spent time hanging with friends, watching movies, playing with Penley, and just enjoying my ma and pop. 

Brodie
( Wendy )

Brodie
( Brodie )

Friedrich's
( Myself )

Shahil
( He loves me! )

Windmills
( Windmills )

Windmills
( Windmills )

Windmills
( There's something special about Iowa. )

Downtown DSM
( Des Moines )

Downtown DSM
( Des Moines )

Downtown DSM
( Des Moines )

Downtown DSM
( Des Moines )

Downtown DSM
( Des Moines )

DSM Art Park
( Letter Man [I don't know its name.] )

DSM Art Park
( Inside Letter Man )

Wendy
( Wendy )

Brodie
( Brodie )

Thomas
( Thomas )

Brodie, Thomas, Wendy & I
( The Friends )

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Goodbye to One More Batch

Happy Holidays from Avalon 2012
( Holiday Card )

End of Fall Semester at Avalon
12/14/2012 @ 수원 [Suwon]

This time of year is always a bit sad. Anywhere from 200-300 students move out of our elementary program (Champ) and into our middle school program (IVY). While it's true that we still get to see most of the kids in the hall, I will never have the pleasure of teaching them again. I've had some of these kids in class for close to two and a half years. They will be missed, but hopefully, they will stay in touch. I only took my camera into my second set of classes. They are the kids I'll miss most.

LA4
( LA4)

LA4
( LA4 )

Harry
( Harry )

Aron & Jason
( Aron & Jason )

Lynn
( Lynn is one of my favorites! )

Brian
( Brian )

Ray
( Ray )

LA Masters
( LA5)

Sarah
( Tri-Sarah-Tops )

Jessica
( Jessica )

Jenny
( Jenny )

Linda
( Linda-Mazing )

Sunny
( Sunny, Rainy, Cloudy, Snowy, etc. )

LN2
( Little Nokjiwon 2: the top of the top )
[Some of these stuck around for a bit, but the rest are gone. Sad.]

LN1
( Little Nokjiwon 1: almost the top of the top )
[I really miss all of them.]

LN1
( They demanded photos without me in them. )

Irene
( Irene )

Ella
( Ella )

Hyun-bin
( Hyun-bin )



For more on my life in Korea, check out my tumblr account: Public Intox in Korea

Feel free to comment or email me with questions or comments: spenser.r.ford@gmail.com

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

I Just Want To Party

Bar 다
( Bar 다 )

Work needs to be done, but I do work.
12/08/2012 @ 홍대 [Hongdae]

I had a ridiculous amount of work to do on that particular Saturday, but after a couple beers and a delicious burrito, I decided it would be best to meet friends in Hongdae. Best choice!

Bar 다
( Manhattan Maker )

Andrew
( Andrew )

Parham
( Parham )

Parham & Friends
( Parham came straight from SantaCon with friends )

혜빈
( 혜빈 [Hye-bin] )

Ryan & Andrew
( Ryan & Andrew )

Andrew & Ryan
( Ryan & Andrew )

Parham
( Parham )

Sam
( Sam )


How to get to Hongdae:
Hongik University Station [홍대입구역] (Seoul Subway Line 2) - Exit 9 / Exit 8
Exit 9 is the most common exit that will take you straight to the fun. I personally like exit 8; it's a little farther away from the action, but far less busy.

For more on my life in Korea, check out my tumblr account: Public Intox in Korea

For Blog posts from around the work, check out the collaboration blog: Folding Maps

Feel free to comment or email me with questions or comments: spenser.r.ford@gmail.com